A Continuous Threat: The Genocide Against Armenians in Artsakh, Says Ocampo

The former Prime Minister of Artsakh and former Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan has published a letter addressed to Armenians by Luis Moreno Ocampo, the first Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, on his Facebook page. Beglaryan wrote, “I support this campaign and urge all of you to contribute to this important work.”

In his letter, Luis Moreno Ocampo stated, “Armenians, Lead the World Toward a Truly Peaceful COP 29. You, who have resurrected from the ashes of the 1915 genocide, are testaments to unwavering and tenacious human spirit. Today you have a unique power to defend justice and truth on global platforms. You can showcase the crimes of President Ilham Aliyev, who continues to target his citizens in Azerbaijan and has committed atrocities against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh, all while hypocritically positioning his country as a leader in global discussions on climate issues.”

The UN Climate Change Conference COP 29, scheduled to take place in Azerbaijan this November, presents an unprecedented opportunity to shed light on this monstrous injustice. And despite Azerbaijan branding this event as the “Peace Conference of the Parties,” the burden falls on you to reveal the truth about Aliyev’s regime and its actions.

You, scattered around the world, have a unique role in defending not only your people and your country but also broader interests related to justice and environmental integrity. “We will lose the day we stop fighting,” your ancestors have said, bequeathing you resilience. You can lead a global movement, engaging other concerned communities in resolving two urgent issues: climate change and genocide.

For me, the connection between genocide and climate change is clear and undeniable. Both are governed by international conventions, which, unfortunately, are not adequately upheld. Since the adoption of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in 1948, the world has witnessed a universal rise in temperatures and ongoing threats of genocide. Just in 2023, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide identified ongoing threats in six cases, including Nagorno-Karabakh.

The UN Climate Convention aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, primarily those resulting from fossil fuels, which account for 75% of emissions. The impact of industry on climate governance policy is profoundly alarming. Azerbaijan, preparing to host COP 29, where fossil fuels constitute 90% of its export revenues, is an exceptional example of this conflict of interests, further highlighting the timeliness of your mission.

The genocide against the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh carried out by Azerbaijan in 2023 stands as a continuous threat. Through starvation, bombings, and instilling fear, Azerbaijan pursued genocidal policies. President Aliyev’s shocking statement that “If ethnic Armenians do not leave our land of their own accord, we will expel them like dogs, and we are doing that now,” reflects this harsh reality. The prolonged imprisonment of 23 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh in Baku serves as a severe warning to those who might attempt to return.

The proposal by Azerbaijan to sign a peace agreement during the COP 29 conference is empty and meaningless unless Armenian hostages and other political prisoners are unconditionally released. According to the US State Department’s 2023 report on human rights in Azerbaijan, “arbitrary detentions and serious problems with judicial independence occur,” and therefore, the only viable remedy for justice becomes the unconditional return of Armenian captives and the release of political prisoners.

Discussing the principles of international law is not enough; they must be actively upheld. Armenian leaders and civil activists should unite the world’s people—from journalists to climate activists—to realize these principles. By leveraging modern technologies, you can amplify your voices, ensuring the effective implementation of the Conventions on Climate Change and Genocide.

I support the idea of a civil movement that rejects hypocrisy and demands a truly peaceful COP 29. Our first step is to create a united Armenian community and launch a media campaign with hashtags #COP29 #StopGreenwashGenocide, to which you can add #FreeArmenianHostages or #FreePoliticalPrisoners. Daily posts on social media with these hashtags will circulate, engaging other communities and drawing the attention of mainstream media.

These organized efforts will compel journalists, delegates, and civil society organizations participating in COP 29 to demand answers from Azerbaijan regarding Armenian captives and political prisoners. The goal is clear: The 29th Conference of the Parties, which is genuinely supportive of peace, should be marked by the release of Armenian hostages and political prisoners from Baku.

Prepare, Armenian communities, for a truly peaceful COP 29, which kicks off on July 23. You have the commitment, access, and determination to lead this transformative movement. By uniting the efforts of the international community, you can ensure that issues of not only climate change but also the protection of human rights and justice are addressed at COP-29.

Armenians, it's time to be at the forefront of change. Post, comment, and raise your voice. Many will join you, including me.

—Luis Moreno Ocampo, First Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court